We use cookies to help provide the best experience on our website. We do this by tracking how the website is used and when appropriate remembering your preferences. If you continue, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Spire Healthcare website.

Desensitisation immunotherapy

Suffering from allergies can have a real impact on your quality of life. They can restrict you from engaging in the activities you enjoy or eating the types of food you love.

At Spire, we have developed an allergy desensitisation programme that to gives our patients access to leading allergy specialists. They can offer a quick diagnosis and treatment plan, ensuring that you receive the best treatment option for your individual needs.

There are many different treatments for allergies, but most treat the symptoms rather than the cause. Desensitisation immunotherapy offers the possibility of actually curing your allergy.

The programme involves carefully controlled repeated exposure to the allergen, which can switch off the allergic immune response. Currently, this is available for aeroallergens (such as house dust mite, grass pollens, tree pollens, cat, dog and horse) and bee and wasp venom.

Desensitisation immunotherapy is delivered either by injection or tablet form depending on the type of allergies you have.

Immunotherapy also has the added benefit of reducing the risk of developing other allergies later in life.

We pride ourselves on our clinical excellence, you'll be looked after by an experienced multi-disciplinary care team.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

Desensitisation immunotherapy is delivered either by an injection in the arm or by dissolvable tablets or drops placed under the tongue (sublingual). Both options are available for aeroallergens but bee and wasp venom desensitisation is only available by injection.

For injection immunotherapy, every injection has to be administered in hospital and you’ll need to remain for an hour post-injection to ensure there is not an adverse reaction.

The first dose of sublingual immunotherapy is given in hospital to ensure it is tolerated, but subsequent doses can be administered at home.

How often you need treatment varies depending on the type of allergy you have, but typically you will have it over the course of three to five years.

Desensitisation immunotherapy is performed as a day case and you can go home the same day. Pain relief is not needed.

Most people benefit from the treatment within months. How often your need to have treatment depends on the type of allergies you have.

Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still looking after you every step of the way.

On rare occasions, complications following desensitisation immunotherapy can occur. Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

A fixed price for this treatment may be available on enquiry and following an initial consultation.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Make an enquiry

65342

True

Contact us to request...

Type the detail of your enquiry here

Select a hospital

Title

First name

Surname

Date of birth

Email address

Confirm email address

Phone number

Postcode

We would like to keep you informed of Spire services. If you do not consent, please tick here.

Thank you for your enquiry

A member of the team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

0800 169 1777

Thank you and best regards from the Spire Healthcare team

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.